We as a society have to move away from the "eye for an eye" revenge mentality if civilization is to advance.

It sends the wrong message: why kill people who kill people to show killing is wrong.

Life in prison is a worse punishment and a more effective deterrent.

Other countries (especially in Europe) would have a more favorable image of America.

Some jury members are reluctant to convict if it means putting someone to death.

The prisoner's family must suffer from seeing their loved one put to death by the state, as well as going through
the emotionally-draining appeals process.

The possibility exists that innocent men and women may be put to death.

Mentally ill patients may be put to death.

It creates sympathy for the monstrous perpetrators of the crimes.

It often draws top talent laywers who will work for little or no cost due to the publicity of
the case and their personal beliefs against the morality of the death penalty, increasing the chances a
technicality or a manipulated jury will release a guilt person.

It is useless in that it doesn't bring the victim back to life.

The death penalty gives closure to the victim's families who have suffered so much.

It creates another form of crime deterrent.

Justice is better served.

Our justice system shows more sympathy for criminals than it does victims.

It provides a deterrent for prisoners already serving a life sentence.

DNA testing and other methods of modern crime scene science can now effectively
eliminate almost all uncertainty as to a person's guilt or innocence.

Prisoner parole or escapes can give criminals another chance to kill.

It contributes to the problem of overpopulation in the prison system.

It gives prosecutors another bargaining chip in the plea bargain process, which is essential in
cutting costs in an overcrowded court system.

Overview/Background

The United States remains in the minority of nations in the world that still uses death as penalty for certain crimes. Many see
the penalty as barbaric and against American values. Others see it as a very important tool in fighting violent pre-meditated
murder. Two things have once again brought this issue to national debate. One is the release of some highly publicized studies that
show a
number of innocents had been put to death. The second is the issue of terrorism and the need to punish its perpetrators.

It is useless in that it doesn't bring the victim back to life.
Perhaps the biggest reason to ban the death penalty is that it doesn't change the fact that the victim is gone and will
never come back. Hate, revenge, and anger will never cure the emptiness of a lost loved one. Forgiveness is the only
way to start the healing process, and this won't happen in a revenge-focused individual.